Plastic section for sealing air gaps between parts of the body of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

For sealing the gap, especially the air gap between two body parts ( 14, 15 ) of motor vehicles, a plastic profile in the form of a foam strip ( 10 ′) with a fixing means ( 100 ) is proposed which has at least two legs ( 16, 18 ) which are hinged together, whereby a first leg ( 16 ) is joined to the foam strip ( 10 ′) by means of a first adhesive layer and a second leg ( 18 ) is provided with a second adhesive layer for joining to a gap inner side ( 20 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a plastic profile in the form of a foam stripfor sealing a gap, especially for sealing the air gap between body partsof motor vehicles, whereby the surface of the foam strip is partiallyprovided with an adhesive layer, as well as to an applicator to bring ina foam profile, especially a rectangular, a L-shaped or a T-shaped foamprofile which is provided with an adhesive layer at least on one side,into a gap to be sealed or into a joint to be sealed, especially into agap or a joint between a fixed body part and a movable body part of avehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Numerous embodiments of foam strips are known for being used as sealingand/or masking strips, for example for the partial enamelling of motorvehicles or the like. In this respect, not only the penetration ofcolour mist into a gap of car body parts should be avoided. On thecontrary, it should also be avoided that soil particles are ejected outfrom the joints by air whirling when colour mist has been oversprayed.Such soil particles can precipitate on the fresh distributed enamel andlead to a defective enamel spot.

So, for example, foam strips with a rectangular section are known,whereby one side of the foam strip is provided with an adhesive layer tofix the strip at the desired place of the object to be sealed. Suchstrips are also used for the sealing of windows and doors.

Other section profiles are also disclosed by the state of the art, suchas circular or approximately circular foam strips which also have anadhesive layer for fixing. These strips can also be configured as hollowparts so as to obtain a better compressibility.

Nevertheless, a drawback of the known foam strips for sealing andmasking is to be found in the fact that the application possibilities ofa specific foam strip are limited to a certain problem task, since thefoam strip can only be used for a defined joint width or the likebecause of the dimensioning and the plastic moulding of the specificfoam strip.

Furthermore, the fixing or the inserting of the strips into a gap to besealed is difficult and complicated, since the foam strip has to be muchbigger than the gap to be sealed for a firm support of the foam strip.However, this oversize must first be pressed through the gap which ismuch narrower. Because of its big dimensions to ensure a sufficientsealing, the foam strip is exposed, in its final position, to highbending loads which have an effect on an adhesive joint between the foamstrip and a car body wall. In unfavourable cases, it comes to a peelingoff of the adhesive joint so that, already after a short time, the foamstrip works loose from the car body part and does not guarantee aneffective sealing of the gap any longer. When preparing a car body forexample for a repair enamelling, it is generally necessary to maskcertain parts or sections so that they do not come into contact with aspray enamel during the later enamelling operation. Adhesive strips,plastic strips and/or foam strips are adequate means for this purpose.

When positioning such strips or combinations of foam strips with paperadhesive strips, the sticking work often has to be performed under veryconfined conditions in which the hollow spaces are so narrow that aperfect sticking can only be obtained with a correspondingly designedapplicator. Especially at places of difficult access, there are specialdifficulties, because of this lack of space, since it comes again andagain to unintended contacts between the foam strip or between the foamstrip lined with adhesive paper and surfaces of the spots to be sealed,for example of a car body.

When fitting plastic profiles for gap sealing which are joined with glueor with a paper adhesive strip to a surface of a gap inner side, it hasthus proved to be a problem that these plastic profiles are difficult tohandle with, since, when positioning the sealing profile in a gap to besealed, the adhesive layer comes into contact prematurely, i.e. beforethe sealing profile is in the desired final position, with a surface andadheres thereto. This makes difficult or, in the unfavourable cases,prevents an exact positioning of the plastic profile in a gap to besealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the aim of the invention is to create an efficiently adheringplastic profile, preferably in form of a foam strip, which can, however,easily be detached from a car body part, as well as to make available anapplicator for inserting the foam strip, whereby a safe and durablesupport of the foam profile in a gap to be sealed is guaranteed, even ifthe foam strip is exposed to high bending loads, and simultaneously asimple mounting of the strip is possible. Moreover, the plastic profileshould be easy to handle with and should be applicable without a greatdeal of time, even by unskilled staff, to seal the gap between twocomponents, especially between two body parts of vehicles.

For this purpose, according to the invention, the fixing means has atleast two legs which are hinged together, whereby a first leg isconnected to the foam strip by means of a first adhesive layer and asecond leg is provided with a second adhesive layer for the connectionwith a gap inner side.

This has the advantage that the adhesive surface on the gap inner sidecan be configured with any variable size and that it is not exposed toany bending load. This prevents a shearing off, and the adhesive jointhas a high durableness or is stable at least for the duration of theapplication. Because the first and the second adhesive layer are placedon one side of the fixing means, a hinge-type arrangement of the fixingmeans is possible which spans even narrow bending radii of the foamstrip and so diverts lateral power from the adhesive joint with the gapinner side.

A connection which is particularly strong and reliable can be obtainedbetween the foam strip and the fixing means by placing an additionalnondetachable adhesive joint between the fixing means and the foamstrip. This adhesive joint is preferably stronger than the inherentstrength of the foam strip and of the fixing means.

Preferably, the fixing means is folded up before the foam strip isplaced. The fact that sides of the legs of the fixing means which areopposite to the first and second adhesive layer are respectivelyprovided with a third and a fourth adhesive layer efficiently preventsthe fixing means from unfolding, before the foam strip is placed.

The third and fourth adhesive layer are preferably redetachable or atleast redetachable in an easier way than the first and second adhesivelayer. This guarantees the unfolding of the fixing means, after the foamstrip has been inserted into a gap to be sealed.

Moreover, according to the invention, the fixing means has a first layerand a second layer, whereby the second layer has a redetachable adhesivecoating for fixing to a gap inner side and the first layer is anondetachable adhesive joint between the second layer and the foamstrip.

This has the advantage that the adhesive surface on a gap inner side canbe configured with any variable size and is not exposed to any bendingload. This prevents a shearing off, and the adhesive joint has a highdurableness or is stable at least for the duration of the application.

A particularly durable and reliable joint between the foam strip and thefixing means is obtained by the fact that the nondetachable adhesivejoint is stronger than the inherent strength of the foam strip and ofthe second layer. The second layer is preferably a paper strip or aplastic strip and advantageously contains a textile ply.

For a foam strip of the above stated art, it is provided for that theadhesive layer as a fixing means is configured according to at least oneof the assigned claims.

For an applicator of the above stated art, it is provided for that theapplicator has a handle part and a receptacle part for the foam profile,whereby the receptacle part has, at one end opposite to the handle part,an elastic element to hold the foam profile. This helps advantageouslyfor the introduction and the fixing of the foam strip in a gap to besealed, since the elastic element allows for a firm pressing of the foamstrip onto a gap inner wall.

Since the elastic element is L-shaped and at least partially encloses anend of a foam profile which is contained in the receptacle part, theelastic element has, in addition to this, a retaining function for thefoam strip and thus efficiently prevents from a premature dropping ofthe foam strip out of the applicator.

Furthermore, an applicator according to the invention is configured suchthat the receptacle part has a guiding rail which encloses the foamprofile at one end opposite to the adhesive layer, whereby the rail hasa longitudinal slot out of which projects an end which carries theadhesive layer, whereby a first stopper is also configured along thelongitudinal slot, stopper which supports the part of the foam profilewhich is projecting out of the longitudinal slot on a side opposite tothe adhesive layer. This advantageously results in a device with which afoam profile can easily and quickly be brought into a joint or a gap.

A maximal functionality of the elastic element is obtained by the factthat the elastic element is placed at the end of the stopper which isopposite to the handle part and that it preferably rises above thestopper.

With a second stopper which is placed at an end of the handle part whichis turned toward the guiding rail, we obtain an easy handling in aparticularly advantageous way, since the insertion depth of the foamprofile is determined by the stopper and has not to be manuallyadjusted.

A second adjustable stopper advantageously allows an adaptation of theapplicator to different gap and joint types.

A handle which is bent off relative to the first stopper advantageouslyimproves the handling of the applicator. Since an antiadhesive layer isplaced at one end of the handle which is opposite to the guiding rail,the handle can also be used for the complete insertion of the foamprofile into the gap. This reduces the number of required tools for thefixing of the foam profile.

Sliding paddings on the first and/or on the second stopper prevent ascratching of the adjacent car body parts.

To this end, according to the invention, a fixing means is provided foron the plastic profile, fixing means on which or adjacent to which atleast a prominence is so placed that it projects over an adheringsurface of the fixing means and avoids an unintended contact of theadhering surface with a surface.

This has the advantage that the positioning and handling of a plasticprofile equipped with this fixing means is considerably improved, sincethe fixing means does not adhere to surfaces in an unintended manner,until the desired position of the plastic profile in a gap to be sealedis reached. Thereby a lateral displacement of the plastic profile alonga surface is possible without premature adhering of the fixing means.

The premature adhering of the fixing means to a surface is still avoidedby the fact that at least two prominences are placed adjacent to thefixing means.

A selective adhering of the fixing means at a desired position withoutthe risk of premature adhering is obtained by the fact that theprominence which at least exists is configured in such a way that, forthe bonding of the fixing means with a surface, a predetermined poweronto the fixing means is necessary to overcome the resistance of theprominence.

Advantageously, the prominence which at least exists is flexiblydeformable and especially compressible.

To obtain a simple construction, the prominence which at least exists isconfigured as a single piece with the plastic profile or a single piecewith the fixing means. However, combinations of both advantageousembodiments are possible.

The adhering surface of the fixing means is advantageously an adhesivesurface, the plastic profile a foam profile and/or the fixing means apaper adhesive strip with a first adhesive layer and a second adhesivelayer, whereby the second adhesive layer for fixing to a gap inner sideis a redetachable adhesive coating on the paper adhesive strip and thefirst adhesive layer is a nondetachable adhesive joint between the paperadhesive strip and the plastic profile, whereby particularly preferablythe prominence which exists at least is configured as at least one bentend of the paper adhesive strip.

In a particularly advantageous way, the prominence which exists at leastis a padding coating on the fixing means.

A simple assembly with low manufacturing costs can be obtained byconfiguring the prominence adjacent to the fixing means as an edge of asunk joint of the plastic profile for receiving the fixing means.

Hereby, it is particularly preferred that the edge is configuredcirculating around the fixing means and/or as a lateral prominenceadjacent to at least two ends of the fixing means.

For the plastic profile of the above stated art, according to theinvention, the adhesive agent is designed as described above.

Advantageously, the plastic profile is a foam strip and has a sunkjoint, preferably on at least one side.

The adhesive agent is advantageously placed in the joint which exists atleast.

Advantageously, the plastic profile has a T-profile, a circular profile,a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, a polygonal profile, ahexagonal profile, a Y-profile or a rectangular profile.

For this purpose, according to the invention, at least one sunk joint isconfigured to receive the adhesive agent on the plastic profile, thesurface of which is at least partially provided with an adhesive agent.

This has the advantage that the positioning and handling of a plasticprofile equipped with this fixing means is considerably improved, sincethe fixing means does not adhere to surfaces in an unintended manner,until the desired position of the plastic profile in a gap to be sealedis reached. Thereby a lateral displacement of the plastic profile alonga surface is possible without premature adhering of the fixing means.

Advantageously, a paper strip is placed as an adhesive element in thesunk joint with a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer,whereby the second adhesive layer for fixing to a gap inner side is aredetachable adhesive coating on the paper strip and the first adhesivelayer is a nondetachable adhesive joint between the paper strip and theplastic profile. This results in a simple and efficient construction.

For a simple assembly and a simple manufacturing of a plastic profileaccording to the invention, an adhesive layer is placed as an adhesiveelement in the sunk joint directly on the surface of the plasticprofile.

The adhesive layer ist advantageously a hot-melt glue.

To obtain a redetachable adhering between the plastic profile and asurface in a gap to be sealed, the adhesive layer further has, on itsside opposite to the plastic profile, a glue layer of a redetachableglue.

The plastic profile is advantageously a foam strip.

Advantageously, the plastic profile has a T-profile, a circular profile,a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, a polygonal profile, ahexagonal profile, a Y-profile or a rectangular profile.

To obtain a simple producibility of the plastic profile according to theinvention, the sunk joint is designed as a recess in the plastic profileover a whole width of the plastic profile.

To obtain a supplementary sealing of the adhesive element against thesurroundings through a continuous border area, the sunk joint isdesigned as a slot with a predetermined width in the plastic profile.

The fact that at least one sunk joint is configured on the plasticprofile has the advantage that such a plastic profile can be betterprocessed when using the gap sealing.

Thus, the joint preferably has, for example, the form of a rightparallelepiped, and especially its length is 10 mm to 20 mm, especially15 mm.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the joint is cuneiform, wherebyside walls of the cuneiform joint preferably enclose an angle ofapproximately 15 to 45 degrees, especially an angle of 30 degrees.

Preferably, the joint width is approximately 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably1,5 mm or 2,5 mm.

An even better processing when using the plastic profile according tothe invention is obtained by the fact that at least two joints with adifferent section are configured.

Preferably, the plastic profile has a rectangular profile with twocuneiform joints and a right parallelepiped shaped joint on a long sideof the rectangular profile.

In a particularly preferred way, the right parallelepiped shaped jointis placed at a distance of approximately 0,5 to 3 mm, especially of 1,2mm, from a cuneiform joint.

The plastic profile is preferably a foam profile.

An additional support through a corresponding adhesive force is obtainedby the fact that a paper adhesive strip is placed as an adhesive elementin the sunk joint, whereby the paper adhesive strip has a first adhesivelayer and a second adhesive layer, whereby the second adhesive layer forfixating on a gap inner side is a redetachable adhesive coating on thepaper adhesive strip and the first adhesive layer is a nondetachableadhesive joint between the paper adhesive strip and the plastic profile.

Alternatively, an adhesive layer is placed as an adhesive agent in thesunk joint directly on the surface of the plastic profile. Preferably,the adhesive layer has a hotmelt glue.

To obtain a detachable joint between the plastic profile and a surfacein a gap to be sealed, the adhesive layer further has, on its sideopposite to the plastic profile, a glue layer of a redetachable glue.

Advantageously, the plastic profile has a T-profile, a circular profile,a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, a polygonal profile, ahexagonal profile, a Y-profile or a rectangular profile.

To obtain a simple producibility of the plastic profile according to theinvention, the sunk joint is configured as a recess in the plasticprofile over a whole width of the plastic profile.

To obtain a supplementary sealing of the adhesive element against thesurroundings through a continuous border area, the sunk joint isconfigured as a slot with a predetermined width in the plastic profile.

To this end, the invention provides for that the adhesive means is anadhesive strip with at least a first adhesive coating, whereby theadhesive strip is joined to the plastic profile only in a predeterminedarea which is smaller than the extension of the adhesive strip.

This has the advantage that such a plastic profile can be universallyused and can be applied in practically any joint of any kind.

Preferably, the adhesive strip is a paper adhesive detachable strip andthe plastic profile a foam strip or a joint sealing strip.

For a stable and operationally reliable construction, the joint betweenthe adhesive strip and the plastic profile is a nondetachable adhesivejoint, whereby the joint between the adhesive strip and the plasticprofile is preferably performed by a glue, the strength of which ishigher than the inherent strength of the material of the plasticprofile.

Preferably, the joint between the adhesive strip and the plastic profileis a hot-melt adhesive joint.

A particularly effective and flexibly usable construction is obtained bythe fact that the adhesive strip is a paper adhesive strip with a firstadhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, whereby the second adhesivelayer for fixing to a gap inner side is a redetachable adhesive coatingon the paper adhesive strip and the first adhesive layer is the jointbetween the paper adhesive strip and the plastic profile.

For a simple transport without the risk of unintended adhering of theadhesive coating on a surface before application in a joint to besealed, the first adhesive coating is covered by means of a detachablesilicone paper.

The silicone paper advantageously has holes at predetermined intervals.These holes serve as adhesive spots for rolled up, ranged plasticprofiles.

An advantageous supplementary covering of areas around the gap to besealed is obtained by the fact that the adhesive strip projects over thedimensions of the plastic profile on at least one side.

A simple possibility of a further adhesive joint with covering meansadjacent to the gap to be sealed is obtained by the fact that a secondadhesive strip, which has a second adhesive coating, is placed on theadhesive strip.

Preferably, the second adhesive coating is orientated in the directionopposite to the first adhesive coating.

For a safe transport, the second adhesive coating is covered by adetachable silicone paper.

The silicone paper advantageously has holes at predetermined intervals.These holes serve as adhesive spots for rolled up, ranged plasticprofiles.

Preferably, the ratio of one length of the adhesive joint between theadhesive strip and the plastic profile to one length of the adhesivestrip is 1:2 to 1:20, especially 1:7, 1:8 or 1:12.

In a particularly advantageous way, the plastic profile has atrapezoidal section or has the shape of a prismoid. For special uses, arecess is preferably provided for in the plastic profile, recess inwhich the adhesive strip or the adhesive strips is(are) placed.

For a method of the above stated art according to the invention,following steps are provided for according to the invention

(a) Insertion of the plastic profile into a gap to be sealed,

(b) Realization of an adhesive joint between the first adhesive layer ofthe adhesive strip and the surface in the gap to be sealed

(c) Bending off of the plastic profile into the gap into a position tobe tightly sealed into a first predetermined direction and

(d) Bending off of one end of the adhesive strip into a secondpredetermined direction, whereby the second predetermined direction isorientated opposite to the first predetermined direction.

A complete sealing and covering on desired spots is advantageouslyobtained by the following additional step:

(e) Realization of a joint, especially of an adhesive joint, between theend of the adhesive strip which has been bent off at step (d) andadditional covering means.

Especially for the carrying out of the above stated method, theinvention provides for an applicator for a plastic profile for sealing agap with a base plate for guiding the plastic profile in the gap to besealed and a handle which is placed on a first side of the base plate,whereby a guiding rail is moreover placed on the base plate, whereby theguiding rail at least partially encompasses the plastic profile and hasa stopper as a lateral guide for the plastic profile.

This applicator has the advantage that it enables a simple and quickfixing of the plastic profile.

The guiding rail is placed on the base plate movable thereto so as to beable, when moving the applicator along a gap to be sealed, to avoid anyobstacles without having to set down the applicator.

The guiding rail is appropriately movable into a direction substantiallyperpendicuar to the longitudinal extension of the plastic strip relativeto the base plate.

For a defined guiding, a recess is made in the base plate, recessthrough which the fixing means grip into the guiding rail so that theguiding rail is movable along the recess relative to the base plate.

A pretensioned element, which exercises a force onto the guiding rail indirection of the plastic profile, is placed on the guiding rail so as toobtain a continuous guiding for which the plastic profile is held orguided on the base plate by the guiding rail.

The pretensioned element is appropriately a spring which is preferablysupported on an abutment on the handle.

The stopper of the guiding rail is appropriately designed as severalspaced ribs, whereby the ribs run in the part of the guiding rail whichpartially encompasses the plastic profile.

The ribs are preferably orientated parallel the one to the other and anend of the ribs is respectively connected to the guiding rail and arespectively opposite end constitutes a stopping face for the plasticprofile, whereby the latter ends of the ribs constitute several discretestopping faces parallel to one side of the plastic profile.

In a further preferred embodiment, the stopper of the guiding rail is aL-shaped rail which is parallel to the guiding rail and on the guidingrail. A long leg of the L-shaped rail runs parallel to the base plateand is fixed to the guiding rail.

A gap is appropriately designed to receive a part of the plasticprofile, for example a projecting adhesive strip, between the stopperand the guiding rail on one side which encompasses the plastic profile.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the guiding rail is L-shaped,whereby a leg of the L-shaped rail is parallel to the base plate.

A further support for the fixing of the plastic profile in a gap to besealed is obtained by the fact that an additional stopper is configuredat an end of the guiding rail which is opposite to the handle part.Preferably, this additional stopper extends substantially perpendicularto the base plate, whereby it extends especially away from the guidingrail in direction of the base plate or away from the base plate.

For a troublefree uninterrupted guiding of the plastic profile in theapplicator, an antiadhesive coating is at least partially configured ona surface of the guiding rail which is turned to the plastic profile.

The handle appropriately has a predetermined angle with the base plate.

A second guiding rail is placed at an end opposite to the handle for theadditional guiding of the plastic profile on two sides of the baseplate. This second guiding rail runs parallel to the stopper of theguiding rail. It is advantageous that the second guiding rail along theend of the base plate is tipped about a predetermined angle relative tothe stopper of the guiding rail, whereby the second guiding rail istipped towards the plastic profile or away from this plastic profile.

Further advantageous embodiments are indicated in the subclaims.

Short description of the drawings

The invention will be explained in detail below with reference toembodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a plastic profile in the form of aT-shaped foam strip with a fixing means according to a first preferredembodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of a gap to be sealed when inserting aT-shaped foam strip according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a sectional view of a gap to be sealed with an insertedT-shaped foam strip.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show views similar to FIGS. 2A and 2B, however withanother embodiment for the applicator and the foam strip.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show sectional views of a foam strip with the fixing meansaccording to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show sectional views of a foam strip with a fixing meansaccording to the invention according to a second preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show views similar to FIGS. 3A and 3B, however with theembodiment of the fixing means of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a gap to be sealed between two carbody parts during the action of inserting a T-shaped foam strip into thegap by means of an applicator.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a gap to be sealed between a fixed anda movable car body part during the action of inserting an approximatelyrectangular foam strip into the gap by means of an applicator.

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of a narrow gap to be sealed between afixed and a movable car body part (vehicle rear flap) with anapproximately rectangular foam strip fixed to the fixed car body partfor a maximal gap width.

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a plasticprofile with a fixing means.

FIGS. 14 to 17 respectively show sectional views of differentembodiments of plastic profiles with fixing means.

FIGS. 18 to 29 respectively show sectional views of fixing means ondifferent plastic profiles.

FIGS. 30 to 32 show sectional views of plastic profiles with fixingmeans after their positioning in a gap to be sealed.

FIGS. 33 shows a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a plasticprofile with a fixing means.

FIG. 34A shows a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a plasticprofile of FIG. 30 with another embodiment of the profile section.

FIG. 34B shows a partial sectional view of the preferred embodiment of aplastic profile according to FIG. 14 when sticked on.

FIG. 35 shows a sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of aplastic profile.

FIG. 36A shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the plastic profileaccording to FIG. 35 with another embodiment of the profile section.

FIG. 36B shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the plastic profileaccording to FIG. 36A when sticked on.

FIG. 37 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a plasticprofile with a cuneiform recess.

FIG. 38 shows a sectional view of an arrangement of several plasticprofiles with lateral tearoff edges.

FIG. 40 shows a sectional view of an arrangement of plastic profilesaccording to the second embodiment according to FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 shows a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 39with a paper adhesive strip.

FIG. 42 shows a schematic representation of the use of a plastic profileaccording to the embodiment according to FIG. 37.

FIG. 43 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a plasticprofile.

FIG. 44 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a plasticprofile.

FIG. 45 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a plasticprofile.

FIG. 46 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile according to the embodiment of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door on lock level and a car body part.

FIG. 48 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between the door and a door sleeper B-column.

FIG. 49 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between the door on door middle level and a car bodypart.

FIG. 50 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the area lateral to a back windowand a car body part.

FIG. 51 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 52 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 53 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the lower area and a of a floorbody part.

FIG. 54 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door on lock level and a car body part.

FIG. 55 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between the door and a door sleeper Bcolumn.

FIG. 56 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between door on door middle level and a car bodypart.

FIG. 57 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the are lateral to a back windowand a car body part.

FIG. 58 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 59 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 60 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the lower area and a floor bodypart.

FIG. 61 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the area lateral/over the lock anda car body part.

FIG. 62 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the area middle/window and a carbody part.

FIG. 63 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the upper area and a top body part.

FIG. 64 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the upper area and a verticalwindow pillar.

FIG. 65 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 66 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a back flap in the lateral area and a carbody part.

FIG. 67 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the area lateral/over the lock anda car body part.

FIG. 68 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the area middle/window and a carbody part.

FIG. 69 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the upper area and a top body part.

FIG. 70 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a door in the upper area and a verticalwindow pillar.

FIG. 71 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between an engine bonnet and a mud guard.

FIG. 72 shows a sectional view of an example of application of a plasticprofile in the gap between a back flap in the lateral area and a carbody part.

FIG. 73 shows a sectional view of a further example of application of aplastic profile in the gap between a door and a car body part.

FIG. 74 shows a sectional view of a further example of application of aplastic profile in the gap between a door and a car body part.

FIG. 75 shows a top view of a silicone paper.

FIG. 76 shows a sectional view of a further example of application inthe gap between a door and a car body part.

FIG. 76A shows a sectional view of an example of application of afurther embodiment of a plastic profile in a gap between two car bodyparts.

FIGS. 77 to 80 show in sectional views further preferred embodiments ofa plastic profile.

FIG. 81 shows a sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of anapplicator according to the invention.

FIG. 82 shows a topview of a first preferred embodiment of an applicatoraccording to the invention.

FIG. 83 shows a sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of anapplicator according to the invention.

FIG. 84 shows a topview of a second preferred embodiment of anapplicator according to the invention.

FIG. 85 shows a sectional view of a further example of application of aplastic strip according to the invention in the gap between a door and acar body part.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the fixingmeans 100 has two legs 16 and 18. The leg 18 is connected to anapproximately T-shaped foam strip 10 and the leg 16 is connectable to agap inner side of a gap to be sealed. The foam strip 10 is T-shaped inthe represented embodiment; however, other profiles, like for example arectangular one or a T-shaped one, are also possible.

As shown especially in FIG. 3B, the fixing means 100 is provided withstrong adhesive layers 17 and 19 on an outer side 22. The adhesive layer19 on the leg 18 assures a solid bonding with the foam strip 10 and theadhesive layer 17 on the leg 16 creates an adhesive joint with a gapinner side 20 of the gap 12.

FIG. 2A illustrates the arrangement of the T-shaped foam strip 10 bymeans of a first embodiment 300 of an applicator according to theinvention into a gap 12 between car body parts 14 and 15. The applicatorhas a handle 70 and a receptacle 72 for receiving the foam strip 10. Thereceptacle 72 has a rail 78 in which the foam profile 10 is held. Aportion of the foam profile projects over a slot 80 out of the rail anda first stopper 82 supports the foam profile 10 on one side. A secondstopper 84 further assures the right depth adjustment of the applicator300 in the gap 12.

The foam strip 10 and with it the leg 16 with an adhesive layer 17 ispressed by means of the stopper 82 against the gap inner side 20 of thegap 12 and it comes to an adhesive joint which holds the foam strip inits position. The applicator 100 is pulled off and the second body part,for example a door car, is closed.

Now the T-shaped foam strip 10 is—as shown in FIG. 2B—squeezed in thegap 12 and seals this gap. The adhesive joint between the leg 16 and thebody part 14 is not loaded with the lateral power due to the squeezingof the foam strip 10 because of the hinge type swinging open of thefixing means 100, since the hinge spans the corresponding bending radiuson the foam strip 10. Thus, the adhesive joint between the leg 16 andthe car body part 14 does not peel off but is permanently assured. FIGS.3A and 3B illustrate the same process as FIGS. 2a and 2B, however withanother embodiment of the foam strip 10. For this embodiment, the foamstrip 10′ is approximately rectangular. A represented second embodimentof the applicator 400 is appropriately adapted with its rail 78 of thereceptacle 72. As may be seen in FIG. 3B, t he hinge type swinging openof the fixing means again assures that the adhesive joint between theleg 16 and the car body part 14 is, as far as possible, free from thelateral power on the foam strip 10 ′.

Moreover, the applicator 400 has a second stopper 84, adjustable over ascrew 88, and an elastic rubber profile 76 at the lower end in FIG. 3Aof the first stopper 82. This rubber profile 76 secures the foam strip10′ in the applicator 400, since a corresponding design of the rail 78and of the foam strip 10, like in FIG. 2A, is missing. Moreover, therubber profile 76 supports the realization of the adhesive joint betweenthe leg 16 and the car body part 14, since it bends off when pressing orexerting a pressure against the foam profile 10′, as shown with thedotted lines in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a preferred improvement of the fixing means 100of FIG. 1. A nondetachable adhesive layer 24 is additionally placedbetween the leg 18 and the foam strip 10 or 10′. This adhesive layer issuch that it is larger than the inherent strength of the foam strip 10or 10′ and of the fixing means 100. So, a safe and firm joint is madebetween the fixing means 100 and the foam strip 10 or 10′. T he fixingmeans also has a redetachable glue layer 30 and 32 with only slightadherence. This assures that the fixing means 100 does not swing openwhen placing the foam strip 10 in the gap 12, as represented in FIGS.2A, 3A, but does swing open like a hinge after the foam strip 10 or 10′has been squeezed in the gap 12 or during it is being squeezed so as toderive lateral forces from the adhesive joint with the car body part 14(FIGS. 2B and 3B).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further preferred embodiment 200 of the fixingmeans according to the invention. This fixing means is carried out intwo layers, namely with a first layer 50 and a second layer 52. Thefirst layer 50 is a solid nondetachable glue 56 between the second layer52 and the foam strip 10 or 10′. The first layer 50 constitutes anadhesive joint between the foam strip 10 or 10′ and the second layer 52which is greater than the respective inherent strength of these layersand assures in this way a solid bonding between the fixing means 200 andthe foam strip 10 or 10′.

The second layer 52 is preferably a paper or a plastic strip and issufficiently big dimensioned for a desired adhesive force. The FIGS. 6and 7 or 4 and 5 only differ from each other by different embodiments ofthe profile of the plastic strip 10 or 10′. Once a rectangular profileis represented, once a T-shaped profile; however, any other profile,adequate for sealing the gap 12, is also possible or may be used.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the setting in of a rectangular foam strip 10′with a fixing means 200 according to the embodiment represented in FIGS.6 and 7. As for the rest, these representations are similar to FIGS. 3Aand 3B. An adhesive joint between the car body part 14 and the paperstrip 52 is obtained by pressing the foam strip 10′ with the applicator400 in direction of the arrow 90. The elastic rubber profile 76 supportsthis operation in bending away (dotted lines).

As represented in FIG. 9, the car body part 15 is movable in thedirection of the arrow 91 and squeezes the foam strip 10′ in the gap 12when closing so that a sealing of the gap 12 is achieved by the foamstrip 10′. As may be seen on the illustration, no lateral power from thesqueezed foam strip 10′ loads on the whole surface of the adhesive jointbetween the car body part 14 and the strip 52. Thereby, a peeling off ofthis adhesive joint is efficiently avoided and a permanent and reliableadherence is guaranteed.

Then an enamelling operation, for example with an enamelling spray withcompressed air 92, may be carried out. The foam sealing strip keeps aposition, for example, in a heat cabin of a car body painter in twocycles at approximately 80 degrees centigrade for respectively 30minutes without working loose.

As it further results from FIGS. 2A, 3A and 8, the applicator has anantiadhesive coating 86 on its handle 70. This coating serves toredetach the adhesive joint between the car body part 14 and the fixingmeans 100 or 200.

The foam strip 10 or 10′ preferably is an elastic open-cell polyurethanefoam.

For the joint between the foam strip 10 or 10′ and the leg 18 in FIG.and 5 or the second layer 52 in FIGS. 6 and 7, preferably a sewing upwith a thread is also possible.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simple handle and the easy inserting of a T-shapedfoam strip 10 into the gap between two car body parts 14, 15, wherebythe foam strip 10 has the configuration represented in FIG. 1 anddescribed above. The foam strip 10 is pushed into the gap with itslonger leg 10a, until the laterally protruding legs of the head shapedupper foam strip sections lie on or rest on both car body parts 14, 15.By means of an applicator 500 in form of a spattle which is provided onthe outer side with an antiadhesive coating 501, preferably made of anappropriate plastic, the foam strip 10 is pressed into the gap byexerting a pressure in direction of the arrow x, until it takes theposition shown in FIG. 10 and adheres to the car body part 14 by meansof the fixing means 100.

The sealing of a gap between a fixed car body part 14 and a movable carbody part 15, for example a door of a vehicle, with an approximatelyrectangular foam strip 10′ is also carried out by means of theapplicator 500 which will be pressed, after having introduced the foamstrip 10′ into the gap (position A) by means of the applicator 500, byexerting a pressure in direction of the arrow x2 against the movable carbody part 15, which is taking the position shown in FIG. 11, in such away that the fixing means 100 is pressed against the fixed car body part14 and so that the gap sealing is achieved (position B). The movementcontour of the movable car body part 15 is indicated by y so as todemontrate that only a small gap is available for fitting and insertingthe foam strip. This is also the case for car body constructions forwhich the movable car body part 15 (door) turns inward in the front end,which is also the case for the back rear flap (upper area) of a vehicle,since the swivelling hinge 15 a of a few vehicle types lays coveredinside (FIG. 2). Here, the swivelling movement takes place in directionof the arrow yl. The narrow space is such that a manual sticking of thefoam strip 10, 10′ is not possible but is only possible by using anapplicator.

FIG. 13 shows a plastic profile with a fixing means 10′. The fixingmeans has a paper adhesive strip 10′ with a detachable adhesive side 212and a nondetachable adhesive joint 214 between the paper adhesive strip10′ and a plastic profile 216. The detachable adhesive side 212 isindicated in all figures by arrows 213. The nondetachable adhesive joint214 is preferably designed in such a way that a removal is not possiblewithout destroying the foam or the paper strip.

FIG. 14 shows in a first preferred embodiment a plastic profile 216 witha fixing means 1100. The fixing means 1100 is a paper adhesive stripwhich has folded ends 218. These folded ends 218 constitutecorresponding prominences which protrude over the adhesive side 212 andwhich prevent an unintended premature contact with a surface and thus anunintended premature adhering of the adhesive side 212 on a surface.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a fixing means 1200 for a plasticprofile. Hereby, the fixing means 1200 is designed as a paper adhesivestrip like in FIGS. 13 and 14 and is placed in a sunk joint 220 of theplastic profile 216. The border areas 222 of the joint 220 constituteprominences protruding over the adhesive side 212. These prominencesavoid an unintended premature contact with a surface and thus anunintended premature adhering of the adhesive side 212 on a surface.

FIG. 16A shows an embodiment of a fixing means 1300 for a plasticprofile. Paddings 224, which work as the prominences described above,are placed as prominences laterally on the paper adhesive strip.

FIG. 16B shows another embodiment of a fixing means 1400. Thissubstantially corresponds to that of FIG. 16A; however, only one padding224 is placed as a distance piece in the middle of the paper adhesivestrip.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a fixing means 1500. This stands out bythe fact that the constructions of the prominences according to FIGS. 14and 15 are combined together, i.e. there are prominences as laterallyfolded ends 218 as well as border areas 222 of a joint 220.

FIGS. 18 to 28 show different embodiments of the plastic profile 216combined with different embodiments of the fixing means according toFIGS. 14 to 17. The plastic profiles especially have a T-profile, acircular profile, a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, apolygonal profile, a hexagonal profile, a Y-profile or a rectangularprofile.

The embodiment 1200 according to FIG. 15 is particularly preferred,since here the fixing means additionaly has a protective functionagainst enamel and its solvents through the sunk joint 220. This is dueto the fact that, after the fixing means has adhered to a surface, thelateral borders 222 additionally seal the area of the surface around theadhesive side outwards and thus avoid the penetration of distributedenamel or its solvents. This is represented in FIGS. 31 and 32 for abetter illustration.

Because of the spacing through the prominences between the plasticprofile and a surface on which the plastic profile adheres, only atilting over of the prominence first takes place in case of lateralforces acting onto the plastic profile without any additional peelingstress of the adhesive surface. This is illustrated more precisely inFIG. 30 by means of the embodiment 1400 according to FIG. 16B. In thestate represented in FIG. 30, the plastic profile 216 is squeezedbetween two car body parts 226 and 228, and a bending load is actingonto the plastic profile 216. This bending load sweeps around thepadding 224 which acts like a pivot and so avoids peeling stresses whichwould act on to the adhesive side 212 and the adhesive joint between thecar body part 226 and the paper adhesive strip.

Therefore, the construction is designed in such a way that a so-calledpeeling effect does not take place with these plastic profiles.Therewith, a sufficient permanency on the ground is achieved even with adouble heating of the car body to 80° degrees centigrade forrespectively 20 minutes.

FIGS. 31 and 32 further illustrate a taking up of power by theprominence for a lateral load impact according to the arrows 230 for anembodiment of the fixing means 1200 according to FIG. 15, whereby theprofiles are respectively designed according to FIGS. 20 and 21. Thepower exercised by the car body part 226 in direction of the arrow 230onto the plastic profile 216 is taken up by the border area 222 which isrespectively situated on the right side in FIGS. 31 and 32 by the factthat this border is getting compressed. Simultaneously, the profileturns slightly around the fixed adhesive joint 214. In this way, theadhesive joint 212 between the paper adhesive strip and the car bodypart 228 remains free from peeling stresses. and the detachable adhesivejoint 212 which can be, for example, Tesakrepp (commercial name) has animproved adhesive strength, even if the plastic profile 216 is squeezedfor sealing a gap.

When positioning the plastic strip 216 in a gap to be sealed, thisplastic strip is also simply laterally movable, also due to theprominence on or adjacent to the adhesive side 212, without any riskthat the adhesive side adheres too early. If, however, an adhesive jointwith a car body part 226, 228 is to be made, after the final position ofthe plastic profile in a gap to be sealed has been reached, a force hasto be exerted onto the plastic strip so that at least one of theprominences gets compressed and allows for a contact between a surfaceand the adhesive layer 212.

FIG. 33 shows a plastic profile 350 with a sunk joint 316 with borderareas 318 and a paper adhesive strip 310 which is connected with anondetachable adhesive joint 312 to the plastic profile 350. An adhesivelayer 314 for a detachable adhesive joint with a surface is provided foron one side of the paper strip 310 opposite to the nondetachableadhesive joint 312.

The plastic profile 350 has a substantially trapezoidal section andtear-off edges 324 can be seen lateraly. Several plastic profiles 350were previously connected to each other on these tear-off edges 324,whereby the plastic profiles are delivered arranged in such rows forfurther processing (FIG. 33).

FIG. 34A shows the plastic profile 350 of FIG. 33 with another profilesection, namely with a round section.

As may be seen in FIGS. 33 and 34A, border areas 318 protrude over theadhesive layer 314. By bringing a plastic profile 350 with its endprovided with the adhesive layer 314 nearer to a surface, first thisborder area 318 comes into contact with the surface and prevents anadhering of the adhesive layer 314 onto the surface. The plastic profile350 can be simply and easily moved to a desired position without theadhering of the adhesive layer 314 on the surface impeding this actionor even preventing it.

If an adhesive joint is to be made between the adhesive layer 314 andthe surface, the resistance of the border areas 318 has to be overcomemerely by means of an appropriate power influence onto the plasticprofile so that these border areas are compressed and allow for acontact of the adhesive layer 314 with the surface. This state isrepresented in FIG. 34B. An adhesive joint between the paper adhesivestrip 310 and a car body part 320 is realized at the ends 326 and 327.

Because of their elasticity, the border areas 318 have substantiallyrecovered their original shape and constitute, as a peripheral borderarea 318, a sealed space 316. This now protects the paper adhesive strip310 against outer influences, like for example enamels and theirsolvents, which would impair the adhesive strength between the paperstrip 310 and the car body part 320.

FIGS. 35, 36A and 36B show representations respectively corresponding toFIGS. 33, 34A and 34B of a second preferred embodiment of a plasticprofile 450. This embodiment substantially corresponds to the embodiment350 and for the detailed description, reference is made to the abovestatements about FIGS. 33, 34A and 34B. The essential differenceconsists in the fact that no paper adhesive strip is used, but a glue322 which is directly placed on the surface of the plastic profile 350.

This advantageously can have an adhesive coating 314 for a redetachableadhesive joint.

Because of the distance due to the raised border areas 318 between theplastic profile 350, 450 and a surface on which the plastic profile 350,450 adheres, in case of lateral power onto the plastic profile, only aswivelling through squeezing of one part of the border area 318 firsttakes place without any additional peeling stress of the adhesivesurface 314.

Therefore, the construction is such designed that a so-called peelingeffect does not take place with these plastic profiles. Therewith, asufficient permanency on the ground is achieved even with a doubleheating of the car body to 80° degrees centigrade for respectively 20minutes.

FIG. 37 shows a first preferred embodiment of a plastic profile 550. Theprofile has a rectangular section and a recess 510 in the form of aright parallelepiped as well as two cuneiform recesses 512. The obliqueside walls 514 of the cuneiform recesses 512 enclose for example anangle of 30 degrees. The depth of the cuneiform recesses 512 is mainlyapproximately 2,5 mm and the depth of the recess 510 in the form of aright parallelepiped is approximately 1,5 mm, whereby the profile isapproximately 4 cm thick. The cuneiform recesses 512 are placed near tothe lateral ends of the plastic profile 550 and the recess 510 in theform of a right parallelepiped is arranged asymetrically adjacent to anend, whereby however one of the cuneiform recesses 512 is arrangedbetween the end and the recess in the form of a right parallelepiped.

In the representation of FIG. 37, a paper adhesive strip 516 is placedin the recess 510 in the form of a right parallelepiped. This paperadhesive strip has a firm adhesive joint 518 between the paper adhesivestrip 516 and the plastic profile 550 as well as an adhesive coating 520for a detachable adhesive joint with a surface. The firm adhesive jointhas, for example, a width of 3 mm and the paper adhesive strip protrudes1 m over this firm adhesive joint on one side and 9 mm on the other sideso that the paper adhesive strip 516 has a total length of 13 mm.

FIG. 38 shows an arrangement of plastic profiles 550 in a row. Theplastic profiles 550 are delivered in this form for further processingand, if necessary, are torn off the one after the other at tear-offedges 528 (FIG. 37). The respective plastic profiles 550 have, forexample, a length of approximately 30 mm. For example, twelve strips 350of such plastic profiles are arranged in a row with dimensions of 30mm×4 mm each.

FIG. 39 shows another embodiment of a plastic profile 550. This profileis substantially trapezoidal with tear-off edges 528 and a recess 510 inthe form of a right parallelepiped. FIG. 40 shows, similarly to therepresentation of FIG. 38, an arrangement of plastic profiles 550according to FIG. 39 in a row. For example, twenty-one or twenty-fivestrips 550 of such plastic profiles with a width of 17 mm each or 14,28mm are arranged in a row.

FIG. 41 shows a preferred further development of the embodiment 550 ofFIG. 39, whereby a paper adhesive strip 516 is placed in the recess 510in the form of a right parallelepiped. For the description of the paperadhesive strip 516, reference is made to the corresponding statementsabout FIG. 34.

FIG. 42 shows, in a schematic representation, the use of a plastic strip550 according to FIG. 37 for sealing a gap 522 between a rear flap 524of a vehicle and a car body part 526. The rear flap 524 is movable andis represented in closed position. Dotted lines 530 indicate theposition “open” of the rear flap. The plastic strip 550 is placed in thegap 522 and is connected by means of a paper adhesive strip 516 to thecar body part 526. Dotted lines 532 indicate the position of the sealingstrip 550 after adhering to the car body part 526.

For sealing a gap, the plastic strip 550, 550′ is pressed into the gap522 and comes to rest in the position represented in FIG. 42 underbending stress. In this position, the gap 522 is sealed to outside.

As may be seen in FIG. 42, the sealing strip 550 is subject to a bendingload, but not the paper strip 516. Due to the narrow adhesive joint 518between the paper adhesive strip 516 and the plastic profile 550, thepaper adhesive strip remains in the upright position. Thus, the adhesivejoint 220 between the paper adhesive strip 516 and the car body part 526is not exposed to any peeling stress.

During the insertion of the plastic profile 550 into the gap 522, thesunk arrangement of the paper adhesive strip 516 in the recess 510prevents a premature adhering of the adhesive layer 520 to the car bodypart 526. In the end position of the plastic profile 550 in the gap 522,to realize an adhesive joint between the paper adhesive strip 516 andthe car body part 526, the at least partially squeezes or compresses theborder of the recess 510 so that a contact is possible between theadhesive coating 520 and the car body part 526.

The plastic profile preferably has the embodiments represented in thedrawings.

FIG. 43 shows an embodiment of a plastic strip 2100. This plastic striphas a rectangular foam profile 616 and a paper adhesive strip 610 withthe foam profile 616 and a second adhesive layer 614 to realize adetachable adhesive joint with a surface. The second adhesive layer 614is preferably covered with a silicone paper 618 for the protectionagainst unintended premature adhering, for example during transport. Theadhesive strip 610 substantially extends over the whole length of thefoam profile 616. The adhesive joint 612 is only very short between theadhesive strip 10 and the foam profile 16 relative to the length of theadhesive strip 10. In this way, we obtain at least one long free end 620which can be used for covering gap surroundings as described below.

FIG. 44 shows a further embodiment of a plastic profile 2200. Thisplastic profile substantially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 43,whereby however the free end 620 is prolongated so as to project overthe dimensions of the foam profile 616.

FIG. 45 shows an embodiment of a further plastic profile 2300. Thisplastic profile substantially corresponds to the second embodiment ofFIG. 44, whereby however a second adhesive strip 622 is additionallyplaced at the protruding end 620 of the first adhesive strip. Thissecond adhesive strip 622 has a second adhesive layer 614 which isorientated opposite to the first adhesive layer 614. This secondadhesive layer 624 can also be covered with a silicone paper 618 withcorresponding dimensions for transport and processing.

The function mode of the plastic profile for gap sealing isschematically represented in FIG. 46 by means of the embodiment 1300 ofFIG. 45. The sealing strip or the plastic profile 2300 is inserted intoa gap 626 to be sealed and is fixed with the adhesive layer 614 to thecar body part 628. The opposite end 632 of the foam profile 616 is bentoff so that the plastic profile tightly seals the gap 626. The positionof the foam profile 616 before the end 632 is bent off is indicated bydotted lines.

Through the only narrow adhesive joint 612 between the foam profile 616and the adhesive strip 610, the adhesive strip substantially remains inthe upright position and the end 620 with the second adhesive strip 622protrudes from the gap 626. In a further processing step, thisprojecting end 610, 612 is bent off in the opposite direction like theend 632 of the foam profile 616 so that it rests on the surface of thecar body part 628. In this position, the strips 610 and 622 cover anarea of the car body part outside the gap 626. A further covering is nowachieved by means of a covering foil, a paper or another appropriatecovering means 634.

By bending down of the projecting end 619, 622 in direction of the arrow636, the second adhesive layer 624 now rests, upward orientated, on thecar body part 628 so that an adhesive joint between the covering means634 and the adhesive strip 622 is achieved by laying the covering means634 onto the second adhesive strip 622. The covering runs seamless fromthe outer surface of the car body part 628 into the gap 626.

Thus, the plastic strip stands out for the fact that it covers, alreadyafter being fixed, a partial surface of a car body or of a part to becovered so that the remaining surface can then be covered in a simpleway without much expenditure of work.

Such a combination strip brings a considerable work simplification forthe user. The plastic profile as such is always bent off to the one sideand leads to a total sealing of the gap 626, whereas the paper adhesivestrip 610 is bent towards the other side and thus already coversapproximately 1 cm or more of the surface to be covered outside the gap626.

The joint between the foam and the paper adhesive strip is preferablymade by a glue, for example a hot-melt glue, which realizes a solidbonding with the foam and the back side of the adhesive strip.Preferably, a glue is used, the strength of which is higher than theinherent strength of the foam.

The FIGS. 47 to 72 illustrate further examples of application of aplastic profile 2100, 2200 or 2300 in a gap 626 respectively between adoor 630 and a car body part 628 or between other car body parts 628. Inthe FIGS. 47 to 53, the sealing strip is used the other way round thanin FIGS. 54 to 60. The same applies to FIGS. 61 to 66 relative to FIGS.67 to 72. Corresponding arrows 640 respectively indicate the movabilityof car body parts 628, 630 or 638.

In FIG. 70, 701 additionally indicates the state of the plastic profile2200 after the first step, namely after insertion. Reference numeral 702indicates the state of the plastic profile 2200 after step two, i.e.after having pressed the plastic profile 2200 into the gap 626. In FIGS.47 to 69 and 71 and 72, these corresponding states are also illustratedwithout being additionally provided with reference numerals.

FIGS. 73 to 75 illustrate different mounting alternatives of a plasticprofile 220 or 2400 for different enamelling situations.

In FIG. 73, an enamelling situation is represented for which an area 646of the car body part 628 has to be reenamelled, while the door 630 isappropriately covered with a foil or a paper 634. During the mounting ofthe plastic profile 2200, this profile is first pushed into position Aand is, for example, adhesively connected with the door 630. Then, theadhesive strip 610 is bent off according to the arrow 636 so that itsadhesive layer 614 rests on the covering means 634 and adheres to it.Finally, the foam profile 616 is pushed into position B into the gap626. Now, the door 630 and the gap 626 are sufficiently protectedagainst enamel and the corresponding car body part 628 can bereenamelled.

FIG. 74 shows a situation similar to FIG. 73; however, here the car bodypart 628 has to be covered and the door 30 reenamelled. The plasticprofile 2200 is pushed into the gap 626 into positions A and B the otherway round relative to the explanations above referring to FIG. 73 sothat the car body part 628 and the gap 626 are protected against theenamel to be applied. This shows the particular advantage of the plasticprofile, namely regardless of the area which has to be reenamelledbesides the gap, consisting in the fact that always identical shapes ofplastic strips can be used, whereby only the orientation of the plasticprofile in the gap has to be correspondingly selected.

FIG. 75 shows an example of a silicone strip 618 which has holes 642 atpredetermined spaces, for example 100 mm to 2200 mm. Row-typearrangements of plastic profiles 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400 or 2500 can berolled up by means of these holes, whereby a slight adhering is possiblein the rolls over the holes 642 so that the rolls remain steadily rolledup, until they become unrolled by a corresponding manual powerinfluence.

FIG. 76 shows an enamelling situation for a partial enamelling similarto FIG. 74, i.e. the car body is covered and the door 630 has to beenamelled in the area 646. A further advantageous embodiment of aplastic profile 2500 is represented. This plastic profile has the shapeof a prismoid or has a trapezoidal section. The adhesive strip 610 canalso be lined on.

FIG. 76A shows an embodiment with a plastic profile 400 which has theshape of a strip. The adhesive strip is placed in a recess 44 of theplastic profile. This embodiment is particularly suitable for all-bodyenamelling operations.

Therefore, the following process course for the fixing of a plasticprofile in a gap to be sealed results as a summing-up from thedescription above and particularly from FIG. 85.

The foam flat strip is applied onto the car body in such a way that thecreped paper, joined to the flat strip, protrudes outwardly verticallywith approximately 10 mm.

Then, the further covering means 634, for example a polyethylene foil ora covering paper, is applied onto the car body 628 so that the end ofthis foil vertically abuts against the protruding crepe paper. Thiscrepe paper is then bent off and adheres to the foil 634. In this way,in one operation the foam strip 616 is applied as well as thecorresponding side is completely covered so as to prevent the impact ofenamel mist. The foam strip 616 is then pressed into the joint 626 sothat the gap is completely sealed.

FIGS. 77 to 80 show further preferred embodiments of plastic profiles2600, 2700, 2800 and 2900 with different sections, like a rightparallelepiped shaped section (FIG. 77), a T-shaped section (FIG. 78) ora trapezoidal section (FIGS. 79 and 80). Two preferred embodiments foran applicator 1000 and 1100 are shown in FIGS. 81 to 83. A handle 652 isplaced bent on a base plate 650. A guiding rail 654 which issubstantially L-shaped is provided for on the base plate 650, wherebythe long leg is approximately parallel and the short leg isapproximately perpendicular to the base plate 650. An extension piece656, on which the guiding rail 654 with the base plate 650 a furtherstopper 658 are designed, is provided for on the short leg. In therepresented embodiment 1000 and 1100, the stopper 658, the guiding rail654 and the extension piece 652 are formed in one piece out of a sheetmetal by bending. However, the parts of the applicator can also becasted out of plastic.

Moreover, an additional stopper 660 is provided for on the base plate.This stopper is designed as a flexible part, as indicated in FIG. 83 bymeans of a dotted line. The additional stropper 660 is, for example,made of rubber. Moreover, a recess 662 is spared in the base plate,recess through which the fixing means 664 grip into the guiding rail 654or in its extension piece. In this way, the guiding rail 654 is movablerelative to the base plate 650. Hereby, the guiding rail is loaded withpower by a spring 672, whereby the spring 672 is supported on anabutment 674 on the handle 652. The guiding rail 654 is movable againstthe spring power for example about 16 mm. In this way, by placing aplastic strip in a gap to be sealed 626, impediments can be overcomewithout having to set down the applicator 1000, 1100 from the gap. Forthis purpose, the guiding rail 654 can be easily moved back. Suchprojecting parts are, for example, parts of ridges or plasticreinforcements on the floor side. The moving back of the guiding rail654 is carried out manually, whereby the spring 672 then automaticallybrings the guiding rail 654 back to its starting position.

Moreover, a stopper 666 is provided for in the guiding rail. Thus, thestopper 666, the guiding rail 654, the base plate 650 and the additionalstopper 660 constitute a guiding for a plastic profile 668. The long legof the L-shaped guiding rail 654 encompasses the plastic strip 668 for asafe guiding and so prevents the sliding out of the plastic profile 668.

The difference of the embodiments 1000 of FIGS. 81 and 82 to theembodiment 1100 of FIGS. 83 and 84 substantially consists in theconfiguration of the stopper 666. The stopper is once configured as anindividual rib 666A (see. FIGS. 81 and 82) and once as a continuousL-shaped rail 666B.

A protruding part of the adhesive strip 610 is contained in the gap 670between the guiding rail 654 and the stopper 666. With this applicator1000 and 1100, it is possible to fix flat strips 668 with a laterallyprotruding portion on the side of the car body as well as on the side ofthe door.

For a nonadhesive guiding of the plastic strip 668 in the guiding rail654, the guiding rail is provided on its surfaces turned to the plasticstrip 668 with an antiadhesive coating 676. This is for example a metalstrip which is sticked in with an antiadhesive coating.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic profile in the form of a foam strip(10, 10′) for sealing the air gap between two body parts (14, 15) ofmotor vehicles, wherein the plastic profile comprises a fixing means(100) for securing the plastic profile in the air gap, wherein thefixing means (100) is a strip comprising two legs (16, 18) which arehinged together and configured to be folded to a U-shape in a positionof use of the fixing means, wherein the first leg (16) and the secondleg (18) have an adhesive coating, respectively, on the same side of thestrip, wherein the first leg (16) is connected to the foam strip (10,10′) with the first adhesive layer (17) and the second leg (18) isconnected with the second adhesive layer (19) to a gap inner side (20)of the air gap.
 2. A plastic profile according to claim 1, wherein anadditional nondetachable adhesive joint (24) is placed between thefixing means (100) and the foam strip (10, 10′).
 3. A plastic profileaccording to claim 2, wherein the nondetachable adhesive joint (24) isstronger than the inherent strength of the foam strip (10, 10′) and ofthe fixing means (100).
 4. A plastic profile according to claim 1,wherein the foam strip (10, 10′) has a rectangular profile, a L-shapedprofile or a T-shaped profile.
 5. A plastic profile according to claim1, wherein sides (26, 28) of the legs (16, 18) of the fixing means (100)which are opposite to the first and to the second adhesive layer (17,19), are respectively provided with a third and a fourth adhesive layer(30, 32).
 6. A plastic profile according to claim 5, wherein the thirdand the fourth adhesive layer (30, 32) is configured redetachable or atleast easier redetachable than the first and second adhesive layer (17,19).